Methods of and apparatus for photocomposing text material



July 17, 1962 METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING TEXT MATERIAL Filed- Nov. 1, 1957 A. FRIEDMAN 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 66 as c: 26 w 67) B7 0000 Q JUSTIFICATION SET WIDTH LINE FEED 0 0 00 0 CONTROL CONTROL CONTROL UPPER CASE LOWER CASE coumon 3| uncommon SHUTTER 32 FLASH LAMP INVENTOR A. FRIEDMAN 3,044,374 METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING TEXT MATERIAL July 17, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 1, 1957 LGLI INVENTOR flw A. FRIEDMAN July 17, 1962 METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING TEXT MATERIAL Filed Nov. 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.

INVENTOR W40 July 17, 1962 A. FRIEDMAN 3,044,374

METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTOCOMPOSING TEXT MATERIAL Filed Nov. 1, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 8

INVENTOR United States Patent 3,044,374 METHODS OF AND APPARATUS FOR PHOTO- COMPOSING TEXT MATERIAL Allan Friedman, Chicago, III. (209 Pine Point Drive, Highland Park, Ill.) Filed Nov. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 694,019

9 Claims. (Cl. 954.5)

This invention relates-to methods of and apparatus for photocomposing text material, and more particularly to methods of and apparatus for photographically composing typographical characters, of the type wherein transparent characters or symbols on opaque backgrounds or opaque characters or symbols on transparent backgrounds are photographically projected, one at a time, upon a sensitized surface for subsequent photographic reproduction for various purposes such as keeping records or for printing operations, for example, for use in offset or gravure printing.

It is an object of the present invention to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for photocomposing text material.

It is another object of the invention to provide new and improved methods of and apparatus for photographically composing typographical characters of the type wherein transparent characters or symbols on opaque backgrounds or opaque characters or symbols on transparent backgrounds are photographically projected successively upon a light-sensitive surface.

A method of photocomposing text materials, illustrating certain features of the invention, may include the steps of arranging an array of typographical characters in pairs of rows according to a predetermined relationship, projecting a light path through a selected character in one of the rows to place an image of such character on a light-sensitive material, moving the array upon the selection of a character in the related row a distance equal to the Width of a row to place the character in the related row in the light path and advancing the light-sensitive material a predetermined distance for each character selection.

Apparatus for photocomposing text material, illustrating certain features of the invention, may include a lightsensitive material, an array of typographical characters movably mounted a predetermined distance from the light-sensitive material, the characters arranged in rows wherein pairs of adjacent rows have a predetermined relationship to each other, means for selectively projecting an image of individual'characters in one of the pairs of rows onto the light-sensitive material and means for selectively moving the array a distance of one row in a direction transversely of the direction of the rows for projecting an. image of individual ones of the characters in the second of the related pairs of rows onto the lightsensitive material.

More specifically, apparatus embodying the invention may include alight-sensitive sheet of material which is secured to a rotatably-mounted and longitudinally-movable cylinder. Spaced a predetermined distance from the light-sensitive material is a type font, including an array of typographical characters which are to be projected, individually and in a predetermined succession, onto the light-sensitive material. The characters are arranged on the type font in two crossing sets of rows which may be horizontal and vertical. Alternate vertical rows include the upper case charactersthat appear on a standard typewriter keyboard. A vertical row adjacent to each of the alternate, vertical rows contains the lower case characters corresponding to the upper case characters in its associated, vertical row. Likewise, alternate, horizontal rows contain characters which are more commonly used in the 3,044,374 Patented July 17, 1962 text material to be composed than characters arranged in the row immediately adjacent thereto. The rows containing the more-commonly-used characters are termed common rows, and the rows containing the less-comm0nly-used characters are termed uncommon rows.

A plurality of vertically-mounted flash lamps are positioned behind the type font, with respect to the cylinder, such that energization of any of the flash lamps illuminates one complete vertical row including the lower case characters. A plurality of shutters is disposed between the type font and the cylinder, and the shutters are so constructed that, when open, they expose one complete horizontal row including the common characters. Also, a lens system is provided including a plurality of smaller lenses and a large, collimating lens, and each smaller lens is positioned normally in alignment with a common, lower case character on the type font. When such a character is selected, a predetermined flash lamp is energized and a predetermined shutter is actuated. The intersection of these two elements defines a beam of light which includes an image of the lower case, common character, and, possibly, some surplusage from adjacent characters. This surplusage is masked off by suitable means and the character only reproduced photographically on the light-sensitive material.

It can be seen that with the above-described structure, in order to select an uncommon character, it is necessary to move the type font in a vertical direction a distance of only one row from its normal, common position to the uncommon position. Also, in order to reproduce an upper case character, it is necessary to move the type font a distance of only one row in a horizontal direction from the normal, lower case position to the corresponding upper case position. Therefore, by energizing one of only five flash lamps and actuating only one of five shutters, an extremely large number (5x5 X4 100, in the present example) of characters can be reproduced with the described arrangement of the type font, by moving the type font only very small distances in vertical and horizontal directions.

The hereinabove-listed and other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of 'a specific embodiment of the invention, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a functional diagram of a photocomposing system of which the present invention forms a part and by means of which methods embodying the invention may be practiced;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a portion of the system shown in FIG. 1, showing apparatus for photocomposing text material forming a specific embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2, showing a plurality of flash lamps;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, vertical section taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, showing a type font forming a part of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a vertical section taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 2, showing a plurality of shutters;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a font-moving apparatus forming a specific embodiment of a part of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, showing in detail the apparatus for advancing a sheet of light-sensitive material;

FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, and

FIG. 9 is a vertical section taken along the line 99 of FIG. 8.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, a functional diagram of a system, in which the present invention may be used, is shown therein. This system is described in detail in an application of J. Gardberg, Serial No. 705,659, filed December 27, 1957, for a Photocomposing System. This system includes a keyboard and control unit on which are located keylevers corresponding to all typographical characters to be reproduced by the system and all functions used in the reproduction of such characters. The keyboard and control unit 10 is similar to a standard typewriter, and a typewritten page is provided thereby to check the text material to be reproduced photographically and to be justified during such reproduction. Also, like a standard typewriter, the actuation of any character keylever will result in the reproduction of two characters, depending upon whether the keyboard is in the unshifted (lower case) or shifted (upper case) position.

Actuation of any of the keylevers on the keyboard and control unit 10 energizes a recorder 11. As disclosed in the Gardberg application, not only is a typewritten record of the text material provided by the keyboard unit 10, but also the recorder 11 places coded signals, representative of the characters in the next material, on a magnetic tape 12 by two recording heads 15 and 16. These signals are in the form of magnetic spots, and the code corresponding thereto provides an exclusive arrangement of such spots for each different character and function in the text material. When a line to be justified nears completion, as noted on the typewritten copy in the keyboard unit It) and as noted on a line length indicator (not shown) described in the Gardberg application, the operator actuates a carriage return keylever. Actuation of this keylever places, on the magnetic tape 12, signals representative of the information needed to justify the line. This information includes the number of word spaces appearing between words in the line, the number of units of predetermined length which remain unused in the line and a control or reset pulse. When the tape 12 has been filled with the lines of text material to be reproduced and with the justification information for justifying such lines, it is fed into a printer, designated generally by the numeral in FIG. 1, which causes the reproduction and justification of each line of the text material.

The magnetic tape 12 is fed into the printer 20 in a direction opposite to that in which the information was placed thereon by the recorder 11. This is necessary since the justification information must be received first by the printer 20 in order that the succeedingly-received line of text material may be properly justified. When the tape 12 is fed into the printer 20, the justification information thereon is first sensed by a pair of pickup heads 21 and 22 and is applied to a control unit 24. As disclosed in the Gardberg application, the control unit 24 includes a plurality of filters, counters, etc., and serves to decode the information sensed from the magnetic tape 12. For the purposes of the present invention, it is only necessary to state that the justification information, which is received first by the printer, is applied to a justification control circuit 25. In this circuit, various counters (not shown) are energized and these counters and other circuits cause each line of the text material to be justified perfectly. After the justification information is received, the various characters appearing in the text material and the functions for the reproduction of such characters are sensed by the pickup heads 21 and 22. This latter information includes whether a character is an upper case or a lower case character and whether it is a common or an uncommon character. The means of these terms will be described more fully hereinafter. For the present purposes, however, assume only that as each character is sensed by the pickup heads 21 and 22, a signal corresponding thereto is applied over a cable 26 to energize various control circuits in the printer 20, including an upper case-lower case circuit 36, a common-uncommon circuit 31, a shutter circuit 32 and a flash lamp circuit 33.

Referring now to the remaining structure shown in FIG. 1, a cylinder 35 is secured, by structure to be described more fully hereinafter, for rotatable and longitudinal movement. A sheet 36 of a light-sensitive material, of any suitable type well known in the art of photography, is secured fixedly to the cylinder 35. Positioned a predetermined distance from the cylinder 35 is a type font 37, having formed thereon transparent characters or symbols on opaque backgrounds or opaque characters or signals on transparent backgrounds. The font 37 is positioned so that the characters thereon are sideways,

for a purpose which will become apparent later. Posi-.

' type font 37 and the cylinder 35 is a plurality of horizontally-disposed shutters 50 to 54, inclusive. Therefore, when a signal corresponding to a particular character appears on the cable 26, the upper case-lower case circuit 3t energizes a solenoid 6% to position the type font 37 horizontally, and the common-uncommon circuit 31 energizes a solenoid 61 to position the type font 3'7 vertically. The signal on the cable 26 also energizes the shutter circuit 32 to select a predetermined one of the shutters St to 54, inclusive, and the signal energizes the flash lamp circuit 33 to energize a predetermined one of the flash lamps 46 to 44, inclusive. With the type font 37 properly positioned, and the proper flash lamp and shutter chosen, light from the flash lamp projects an image of the selected character through a corresponding smaller lens of a group of lenses 62-62 and a large collimating lens 65 to the sensitized sheet 36 on the cylinder 35. This lens system is described more fully in an application of D. K. Jewell, Serial No. 527,076, filed August 8, 1955, now abandoned. The structure shown in FIG. 1, being in a light-excluding box or casing, causes the reproduction, photographically, of the selected characters.

Each time a character, or certain functions, such as the word space function, is received, a signal i applied over a cable 66 to a set width circuit 67. As described in the Gardberg application, the set width circuit 67 causes the proper amount of rotation of the cylinder 35, depending upon the set width of the selected character or function. With respect to characters, for example, each character in the text material to be reproduced has a predetermined set width. Therefore, a signal indicative of this set width is applied over the cable 66 to the set width control circuit 67. The control circuit 67 then applies a signal over a lead 70 to de-energizc a brake 71 and permit the cylinder 35 to rotate. Such rotation is caused by a continuously-rotating motor '72 which is connected to a shaft 75, on which the cylinder 35 is secured, by a friction-type clutch 76. When the brake 71 is energized, the friction clutch '76 merely slips so that the motor 72 cannot rotate the cylinder 35. When, however, the brake 71 is de-energized, the cylinder 35 is rotated by the motor 72 at a predetermined, slow speed.

Secured to one end of the cylinder 35 is an opaque disk 77, having formed around the periphery thereof a plurality of translucent windows 8ti-8ti. As the cylinder 35 rotates, after the de-energization of the brake 71, the disk 77 also rotates therewith. A photocell 81 is positioned adjacent to the path of travel of the windows -80 and receives light from a light source 82 each time a window 80 passes thereby. The photocell, therefore, generates a plurality of pulses which are applied over a lead 85 to the set width control circuit 67. When a number of pulses has been received by the control circuit 67, which number corresponds to the predetermined set width of the character selected, another signal is applied over the lead 70 to energize the brake 71 and to stop the rotation of the cylinder 35 and the disk 77. As a result, the cylinder 35 will be rotated a predetermined distance equal to the set width of the selected character. A shown in FIG. 9, any number of rows of windows 808tl can be spaced radially around the disk 77 to accommodate various kinds of characters to be reproduced. Consequently, suitable means may be provided for moving the photocell 81 into the path of any circular row of the windows 8t)80.

After a complete line of text material has been received by the printer 20 and has been reproduced photographically and justified, a signal which causes the line feed function, having been placed on the tape 12 by the recorder 11, is sensed by the pickup heads 21 and 22. This signal is decoded by the control circuit 24 and is applied over a cable 86 to a line feed control circuit 87. As described in the Gardberg application, the line feed control circuit 87 includes a counting circuit (not shown) by which a predetermined amount of line feed can be obtained. For the purposes of the present invention, however, it is necessary to state only that the receipt of a line feed signal energizes. the line feed control circuit 87 and applies a signal over a lead 90 to energize a motor 91. The motor 91 is connected to and rotates a threaded shaft 92 which causes the longitudinal movement of the cylinder 35 and, since the text material is being printed on its side, a line feed in the text material. The longitudinal movement of the cylinder 35 is transmitted to the cylinder through a threaded segment 95 which is positionable in contact with the threaded shaft 92. As the shaft 92 rotates, a multi-lobed cam 96 is rotated thereby, and the successive valleys and peaks on the cam 96 cause the alternate opening and closing of a switch 97. Each time the switch 97 is closed, a pulse is fed over leads 98-98 to the line feed control circuit 87. After receipt of a predetermined number of pulses, caused by such closures, a signalis applied over the lead 90 to de-energize the motor 91, to stop rotation of the shaft 92 and to stop the line feed function.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 to 6, inclusive, the apparatus forming a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described. FIG. 4 shows a detailed view of one form of a type font 37 which may be used. The type font 37 shown includes a plurality of intersecting horizontal and vertical rows. With respect to the vertical rows, it will be noted that adjacent pairs of rows, designated by the numerals 100 to 104, inclusive, correspond to each other in a predetermined relationship. For example, with reference to the double row 104, the right-hand side thereof includes all lower case characters and the lefthand side thereof includes the upper case characters corresponding to the lower case characters in the righthand side. It will be understood that by lower case character is meant any character which is selected by a keylever when the keyboard 10 is in its unshifted position,

and the term upper case refers to the associated charthe type front 37 correspond to those which appear on keylevers in the keyboard and control unit It). It will also be noted that there is a distinction between pairs of adjacent, horizontal rows such as the double rows designated by the numerals 110 to 114, inclusive. Referring to the double row 110, the upper row thereof includes characters (e.g., O, I) which are more commonly used in most text material than the characters which appear in the corresponding lower row (e.g., K). This is also the arrangement provided in the remaining four double rows 111 to 114, inclusive. Therefore, the upper rows of these five double rows will be referred to hereinafter as the common rows and the lower rows thereof will be referred to as the uncommon" rows.

Also shown in FIG. 4 is the normal position of the type font 37 with respect to the smaller lenses *6262. It will be noted that this normal position places all lower case, common characters in alignment with the smaller lenses 6262. Consequently, a circular, dashed line encircles the characters d, i, 0, etc. Before describ- 6 I ing how and when the type font 37 is moved from its normal position, refer again to FIG. 2, wherein the type font 37 and its positionment with respect to the flash lamps 40 to 44, inclusive, and the shutters to 54, inclusive,

is shown. The shutters 50 to 54, inclusive, are mounted pivotedly to a plurality of shafts 116-116. The shutters are normally held in their closed position, as shown in FIG. 2, by a plurality of springs (not shown), and may be moved to an open or substantially-horizontal position by energizing an associated one of a plurality or relays 129 to 124, inclusive (FIG. 5). The relay 120, for eX- ample, has an armature which rotates in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 2) when energized, so that this relay rotates the upper shutter 50 to a substantially-horizontal position, thereby opening the shutter. When the upper shutter 50 opens, the upper row of the horizontal, double row 110 is presented to the lens system including the upper three smaller lenses 62-62.

Each of the flash lamps 40 to 44, inclusive, is in alignment with and illuminates a right-hand, vertical row of characters on the type font 37. Assume, for example, that the flash lamp 43, shown second from the right in FIG. 3, is energized and that the third shutter 52 is opened. It will be seen that the character at the intersection of the shutter 52 and the flash lamp 43 is the lower case, common character u. Therefore, while the complete right-hand side of the double row 103 is illuminated by the flash lamp 43, an image of only the character u will pass through the shutter system by virtue of the shutter 52 being open. Since the optical path of each smaller lens 62 includes not only a lower case, common character, but also a small portion of the four characters adjacent to the lower case, common character, a small amount of surplusage will pass through the optical system. This surplusage may be deleted from the optical path by a mask 125 (FIGS. 1 and 2) positioned adjacent to the cylinder 35. Consequently, a clear image of only the selected character will be photographed on the light-sensitive sheet 36.

From the above description, it can be seen that the whole array of typographical characters on the type font 37 can be selected by very simple operations. For example, only one flash lamp of the group of flash lamps 40 to 44, inclusive, must be energized, and only one shutter of the group of shutters 50 to 54, inclusive, must be opened. The energization of only one flash lamp and the actuation of only one shutter will place one character in printing position (in alignment with a small lens 62) and three characters in potential printing position. Of the four characters so positioned, referring again to the characters used in the above example, it will be noted that two were lower case characters (u, z) and that two were upper case characters (U, Z). Also, it will be noted that two were common characters (u, U) and that two were uncommon characters (z, Z). Consequently, in order to place any of these four characters in printing position in alignment with the corresponding smaller lens '62, it is only necessary to move the type font 37 in a vertical direction a distance of one row or in a horizontal direction by a similar distance. For example, assume that the lower case 2 is to be reproduced. Since this character is directly below the optical path of a smaller lens 62, it is only necessary to move the type font 37 upwardly in a vertical direction a distance equal to the width of one row in order to place the uncommon 2 directly in alignment with the smaller lens. Therefore, when the flash lamp 43, second from the right in FIG. 4, is energized and the third shutter 52 is actuated, the lower case 2 will be reproduced. Also, if the upper case U is to be reproduced, it is only necessary to move the type font 37 to the right a distance equal to one row in order to place this character in direct alignment with the corresponding smaller lens 62.

In order to move the type font 37 accurately and precisely in its horizontal and vertical directions, the structure shown in FIG. 6 is provided. Referring thereto, the type font 37 is positioned adjacent to a frame 126. To move the type font 37 horizontally between its upper case and lower case positions, the type font 37 is guided horizontally by two upper rollers 127-127 and by two lower rollers 130130. Each of the upper rollers 127 is mounted rotatably to a lever 131 which is pivoted to the frame 126 by a shaft 132. A spring 135 is connected between a transverse extension of each lever 131 and the rame 126 and tends to urge the associated roller 127 downwardly against the top of the type font 37. Each of the lower rollers 130130 is secured rotatably to a lever 136 which is pivoted by a shaft 137. Also rotatably mounted to each lever 136 is a roller 140 which normally abuts a relieved portion 141 formed within the side of an armature 142. Assuming, for the present description, that the armature 142 remains in its position shown in FIG. 6, it can be seen that the position of the lower rollers 130-130 will remain as shown in this figure, since the rollers 140140 will not permit counter-clockwise rotation of the levers 136-136 about the shafts 13'7-137. Consequently, the upper rollers 12 7127 will securely hold the type font 37 at the horizontal level shown.

As stated hereinabove, the solenoid 60, shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1 and in detail in FIG. 6, moves the type font 37 in a horizontal direction to move the type font between its upper case and its lower case positions. Referring to FIG. 6, the solenoid '60 has associated therewith an armature 145 which depends from the solenoid and which is guided by a plurality of small rollers 146146 and large rollers 147-1i7. The rollers prevent any transverse movement of the armature 145 and permit only longitudinal or vertical movement thereof. The armature 145 has a relieved portion 15% formed in the side thereof and a roller 151 is normally abutting this relieved portion. The roller 151 is mounted rotatably to a lever 152 which is rotated about a shaft 155. of the lever 152 is another roller 156 which normally abuts the side of the type font 37. A roller 157, mounted rotatably to a lever 160 which is secured pivotedly to the frame 126 by a shaft 161, is urged in a clockwise direction about the shaft 161 by a spring 162 which is connected between an extension of the lever 16th and the frame 1 26. Consequently, the roller 157 urges the type font 37 to the left, and the extent of such movement of the type font 37 is determined by the position of the roller 156.

As stated hereinabove, the type font 37 is normally in the position shown in FIG. 4, that is, with all common, lower case characters in alignment with the smaller lenses 62-62. Consequently, in order to place the type font 37 in its upper case position, the type font must be moved to the right a distance equal to the width of one row. To accomplish this movement and to place the type font 37 in the upper case position, the solenoid 6t} is energized. When the solenoid 61} is energized, its arm.- ture 145 is moved upwardly so that the roller 151 moves out of the relieved portion 159 in the armature 145 and rides along the right-hand side thereof. When the roller 151 is so moved, the lever 152 is pivoted in a clockwise direction about the shaft 155 and the roller 156 is moved therewith. The various dimensions are chosen so that the roller 156 moves to the right a horizontal distance equal to the width of exactly one row. It can be seen, then, that once the roller 151 is removed from the relieved portion 150 and rides along the side of the armature 145, a large amount of vertical play may exist in the armature, but no further pivoting of the lever 152 will result from such play. Since the lever 152 will not be further pivoted, the roller 156 will be moved no farther to the right than the position it had attained when the roller 151 was moved out of the relieved portion and first contacted the side of the armature 145. Consequently, with this arrangement, there need not be strict tolerances of the Secured rotatably near the upper end various parts involved in order to provide very accurate movement of the type font 37 between its lower case and its upper case positions.

Substantially the same structure is provided for moving the type font 37 vertically, between its common and uncommon positions. In this situation, the two rol ers 136 with their corresponding levers 136136 and rollers Mfr-149 are provided in order to provide perfect stability for the type font 37. When the solenoid 61 is energized to place the type font in its upper, uncommon position, its armature 14-2 is moved to the left so that the rollers ES -144i move from their normal positions adjacent to the relieved portions 141 141 and abut the upper side of the armature 14 2. Consequently, the levers 136136 are pivoted in a clockwise direction about the shafts 137137 and move the ype font 37 to its upper, uncommon position. In this situation, also, no matter how much horizontal play exists in the armature 142, as long as the rollers 14% are riding on the upper side thereof, the type font 37 will not be moved vertically. Consequently, with this structure, the type font 37 may be made to move a precise, vertical distance equal to the width of only one row when the type font is to be moved from its common position t its uncommon position.

In describing FIGS. 1 and 2, it was stated that when the type font 37 is placed in its proper position, when the proper flash lamp is energized and when the proper shutter is opened, an image of the selected character will pass through its corresponding smaller lens 62 and will be directed by the collimating lens 65 to the sheet 36 of lightsensitive material on the cylinder 35. It was also stated that the cylinder 35 is rotated, for each selected character, a distance corresponding to the set width of such character. It can be seen that no violent movement of the cylinder 35 is required in order to reproduce all characters and functions. Convesely, only a small amount of slow, rotative movement of the cylinder 35 is required. Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, inclusive, the structure for rotating the cylinder 35 and for moving the cylinder longitudinally for the line feed function is shown. The cylinder 35 is mounted on a carriage 165 and is journaled between two bearings 166166. The cylinder 55 is rotated by the motor 72 which drives the shaft 75 through a gear box 167 and the friction-type clutch 76. The motor 72 is continuously rotating, and the right-hand side of the clutch 76 will likewise be rotated thereby continuously. Whether such rotation is imparted to the cylinder 35 depends upon whether the brake 71 is energized or deenergized, as described hereinabove. If the brake 71 is energized, the cylinder 35 is prevented from rotating, and the two parts of the clutch 76 are effectively disconnected. Also, the disk 77 which is secured fixedly to the cylinder shaft 75 rotates with the cylinder 35 to cause the photocell S1 to generate pulses as the windows 80 811 in the disk 77 permit light from the light source 82 to pass therethrough.

With respect to the line feed function, as stated hereinabove, it is necessary to move the cylinder 35 longitudinally of its axis in order to obtain a line spacing in the text material. To perform this function, the carriage 165, on which the cylinder 35, the means for rotating the cylinder and the means for stopping it are secured, is mounted movably to a frame 170 by a plurality of roller bearings 171171. The carriage 165 will be moved in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylinder 35 by the threaded shaft 92 which is connected to the carriage 165 through the medium of the threaded segment 95 and a spring-metal connector 172. The connector 172 forces the threaded segment 95 into contact with the threaded shaft 92, and rotation of the shaft 92 will move the cylinder 35 longitudinally of its axis. The'threaded shaft 92 is rotated by the line feed motor 91 through a gear box 175. As stated hereinabove, the multi-lobed cam 96, secured to the end of the tlneaded shaft 92, is rotated therewith and alternately opens and closes the switch 97.

Such opening and closing of the switch 97 generates a plurality of pulses which are applied to the line feed control circuit 87 to stop the motor 91 after the receipt of a predetermined number of such pulses. Consequently, the line feed motor 91. is stopped after 'a predetermined, longitudinal movement of the cylinder 3'5, and, hence, after a predetermined amount of line feed is provided.

The distance that the cylinder is moved longitudinally between each closure of the switch 97 is set to correspond to the point size of the characters to be reproduced. For example, if -point type is t'o-be reproduced on the lightsensitive sheet 36 and the distance that the cylinder 35 moves longitudinally between closures is set to correspond to one-half point, the switch 97 will be closed twenty times for each line feed function. When the twentieth pulse from such closures is received by the line feed control circuit 87, the line feed motor 91 is stopped. Should, for any given line feed, the switch 97 'be closed an additional time for any reason, it will be noted that the error introduced thereby is not acumulative one. As a result, the succeeding line feed is not afiected thereby and will be the proper amount.

It is to be understood that the above-described embodiment of the invention is merely illustrative of the principals thereof and that numerous modifications and embodiments of the invention may be devised within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A method of photocomposing text material, which comprises arranging an array of typographical characters in two crossing sets of rows spaced in directions transversely of each other with adjacent pairs of rows in one direction being related as to character case and adjacent pairs of rows in the second direction being distinguished by the characters in one of the rows occurring in the composition of the text material more often than the characters in the other row, normally positioning each of the lower case, common characters in alignment with an associated optical path, projecting the optical paths to a predetermined point on a photo-sensitive material, passing a beam of light through a predetermined one of the optical paths in accordance with each selected character to project an image of such character onto the photo-sensitive material, selectively moving the array in one of said directions a distance equal to the width of one row upon the selection of an upper case character to place .such character in alignment with the optical path, selectively moving the array in the second of said directions a distance equal to the width of one row upon the selection of a lesscommon character to place such character in alignment with the optical path, and advancing the photo-sensitive material a predetermined distance for each character selection and in accordance with the set width of the selected character.

2. Apparatus for photocomposing text material, which comprises a rotatably-rnounted cylinder, a sheet of lightsensitive material secured to the cylinder for rotation therewith, a type font having an array of typographical characters formed thereon positioned a predetermined distance from the cylinder and mounted for movement in the direction of the axis of the cylinder and in a direction transversely thereto, a plurality of shutters mounted seriatim invone direction of movement of the type font and positioned between the type font and the cylinder, a plurality of flash lamps mounted seriatim in the second direction of movement of the type font and positioned behind the type font with respect to the position of the cylinder, means for selecting a predetermined one of the shutters and a predetermined one of the flash lamps for each selected character, and means for selectively moving the type font in its two movable directions inaccordance with the selected character.

3. Apparatus for photocomposing text material which comprises an array of typographical characters arranged in two crossing sets of rows, the rows of the two sets being spaced in directions transversely of each other, alternate rows in one of the directions containing upper case characters and a row adjacent to each such row containing the corresponding lower case characters, alternate rows in the second of the directions containing more-commonly-used characters and a row adjacent to each such row containing less-commonly-used characters, first selectivelyenergizable means for positioning the array in one of the directions in accordance with the chosen case of the characters, second selectively-energizable means for positioning the array in the second of the directions in accordance with the predetermined, relative-use grouping of the array, a light-sensitive material for reproducing the characters photographically, means for successively energizing the positioning means in accordance with characters to be reproduced on the light-sensitive material, means defining a plurality of fixed optical paths which pass through alternate rows of the array in both of said directions and converge on a predetermined area of the light-sensitive material, and means operated subsequently to the energization of either selectively-energizable means for passing a beam of light through a selected one of the characters and projecting an image thereof over the associated optical path and onto the light-sensitive material.

4. Apparatus for photocomposing text material, which comprises a light-sensitive material on which the text material is to be reproduced photographically, a type font including an array of equally-spaced typographical characters to be reproduced, a plurality of shutters, a plurality of light sources, an optical system for projecting the characters at a predetermined point on the light-sensitive material upon energization of a predetermined one of the light sources and actuation of a predetermined one of the shutters, and means for moving the type font a distance corresponding to the space allotted each character in the array, the font-moving means comprising a longitudinallyrnovable rod having a relieved area formed in the side thereof, and a pivotally-mounted member positioned adjacent to the rod and designed to be guided along the side of the rod and into the relieved area as the rod is moved longitudinally, the member being effective to move the type font a distance corresponding to the space alloted each character in the array as the member successively abuts the side of the rod and the relieved portion thereon.

5. Apparatus for photocomposing text material, which comprises an array of typographical characters arranged in two crossing sets of rows, the rows of the two sets being spaced in directions transversely of each other and adjacent pairs of rows in both directions bearing predetermined relationships to each other, and means for moving the array predetermined distances in the directions of the rows, each of the last-mentioned means comprising a solenoid having an extended armature, guide means for supporting the armature and for preventing any transverse movement thereof as the armature is moved longitudinally upon energization and de-energization of the solenoid, a relieved portion formed in the armature, a pivotally-mounted lever positioned adjacent to the relieved portion in the armature,

a first roller mounted rotatably to the lever for move- 'ment therewith and designed to abut the relieved portion of the armature when the solenoid is in its de-energized position, and a second roller mounted rotatably to the lever for movement therewith and designed to abut the character array, the movement of the armature upon energization forcing the first roller from the relieved portion in the armature to a higher point thereon and pivoting the lever about its pivot point to cause the second roller to move the array a predetermined distance in one of its directions of movement.

6. Apparatus for photocomposing text material, which comprises an array of typographical characters arranged in two crossing sets of rows, the rows in the two sets being spaced in directions transversely of each other, a cylinder mounted for rotation about an axis which is parallel to the characters as they appear in the array, a sheet of lightsensitive material secured to the cylinder for reproducing selected characters photographically, means for selectively moving the array in directions parallel to the direc tions of the two sets of rows thereon in accordance with the characters selected, means for projecting the selected characters successively onto the light-sensitive material, a threaded shaft mounted rotatably parallel to the cylinder and operably connected thereto, a multi-lobed cam secured to the threaded shaft for rotation therewith, a motor for rotating the threaded shaft and the cam, a switch mounted adjacent to the cam and closed by each of the lobes thereon as the cam rotates, means responsive to the selection of the line feed function for energizing the motor, and means for de-energizing the motor after a predetermined number of closures of the switch to provide a predetermined amount of longitudinal movement of the cylinder after a line of characters has been reproduced.

7. Apparatus for photocomposing text material, which comprises a keyboard and control unit having thereon a plurality of selectable keylevers corresponding to all typographical characters to be reproduced and functions used in the reproduction of such characters, one of said functions being the shift function wherein the keyboard unit is movable between two shift positions, each keylever being capable of selecting two characters depending upon the shift position of the keyboard unit, a type font having formed thereon an array of typographical characters corresponding to the selectable characters on the keyboard unit, the characters in the array arranged in a plurality of spaced rows, alternate rows containing the keyboard characters selectable when the keyboard is in one of its shift positions and a row adjacent to each such row containing the corresponding characters when the keyboard is in its second shift position, means controlled by the keyboard and control unit for reproducing selected characters successively, the last-mentioned means including means for maintaining the type font in one predetermined position for the reproduction of any character in one shift position of the keyboard unit, and means for moving the type font in a direction parallel to the direction of the rows a distance equal to the width of one row for the reproduction of any character in the second shift position of the keyboard unit.

8. Apparatus for photocomposing text material, which comprises a keyboard and control unit having thereon a plurality of selectable keylevers corresponding to all typographical characters to be reproduced and functions used in the reproduction of such characters, said characters including upper case characters and corresponding lower case characters, each keylever on the keyboard unit being capable of selecting an upper case character and its correspending lower case character depending upon the shift position of the keyboard unit, a type font having formed thereon an array of typographical characters arranged in two crossing sets of rows, the rows of the two sets being spaced in directions transversely of each other, alternate rows in one of the directions containing the upper case characters and a row adjacent to each such row containing the corresponding lower case characters, alternate rows in the second of the directions containing more-commonlyused characters and a row adjacent to each such row containing less-commonly-used characters, means controlled by the keyboard and control unit for reproducing selected characters successively, the last-mentioned means including means for moving the type font in the direction of one of the sets of rows a distance equal to the width of a row depending upon the case of the selected character, and means for moving the type font in the direction of the second set of rows a distance equal to the width of the row depending upon the characters position in the relative-use grouping of the character array.

9. A method of pho'tocornposing text material, which comprises arranging an array of typographical characters in a plurality of rows with alternate rows containing upper case characters and a row adjacent to each such row containing the corresponding lower case characters, normally placing each of a plurality of characters of one case in alignment with one of a plurality of optical paths, selectively moving the array a distance equal to the distance of one row to place each of a plurality of the characters of the second case in alignment with the optical paths upon the selection of a character of the second case, passing a beam of light through one of the optical paths upon each character selection to project an image of a character in alignment therewith onto a light-sensitive material, and advancing the light-sensitive material for each character selection.

References Cite; in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,229,689 Westover Jan. 28, 1941 2,229,690 Westover Jan. 28, 1941 2,930,297 Moyroud Mar. 29, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,113,397 France Dec. 5, 1955 1,121,986 France May 14, 1956 1,124,399 France June 25, 1956 

